NPA Advocate Review of ISPS Security Code for Secured Maritime Industry 

Eromosele Abiodun

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho has called for a review of the implementation of the International Ships and Port Facility Security, (ISPS) Code to ensure a more secured maritime industry.

Speaking at the 2024 National Conference of the Port Facility Security Officers Forum of Nigeria, Dantsoho said a review will ensure the nation’s ports and shipping lanes are secure and resilient and fit for demands of a modern and global maritime domain.

Dantsoho also said that the move to review implementation of the Code will enable Nigeria develop proactive and innovative solutions for a better secure maritime industry.

According to him: “As we reflect on the past two decades, we are reminded of the critical role that maritime security plays in facilitating international trade, protecting our national interests and ensuring the safety of seafarers, port workers and the environment. The ISPS Code which came into force in 2004 to emplace adequate security measures in our ports to mitigate existing and potential threats, was a game changer as it has helped in addressing emerging security threats in the maritime sector.

“For Nigeria, it was a call to action, a call to invest in robust systems and frameworks that would not only secure our ports but also enhance our reputation not only as a safe and reliable maritime nation but also as a maritime logistics hub for sustainable port service in Africa. In early 2020, preparatory to the introduction of the ISPS Code, the global maritime industry faced a range of unprecedented challenges- security threats such as terrorism, piracy and illicit trafficking were becoming more complex and widespread. The world is changing and so too were the risks we faced on the seas.”

He added, “NPA recognised early on the necessity of aligning with international standards and implementing the ISPS Code with the utmost seriousness is required. Our ports were at the heart of the change. Our ports facilities have been upgraded following concession and adoption of the landlord model by the NPA, new security measures and technologies have been introduced and there has been substantial investment in training of security personnel to ensure that we are not only compliant but also proactive in addressing emerging threats.

“We are proud of the progress we have made but we recognise that this success has been the result of the hardwork and commitment of a wide range of stakeholders. The Nigerian Ports Authority alongside federal and state agencies, port facility operators, security services and our international partners has worked in synergy to ensure that our maritime environment remains secure and that Nigeria continues to be a trusted player in the global shipping business.”